The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 283

283. Sword Star.

A person obsessed with the sword. A person who seeks the ultimate mastery of the sword.

The only direct disciple of the Sword Emperor.

Numerous words describe her.

Since most are related to the sword, no one doubts her swordsmanship.

However, when asked what specific swordsmanship comes to mind when thinking of her, the answer is often ambiguous.

-Um… what is it? Why doesn’t anything immediately come to mind?

-She’s a person who has mastered all swordsmanship to the extreme, so is there really a single, strongest one?

-Still, wouldn’t the swordsmanship learned directly from the Sword Emperor be the most representative?

-She created five unique swordsmanship styles herself, so does that even matter? Moreover, all five are legendary.

-Sword Emperor, Sword Master, or even Sir Leved, there are symbolic swordsmanship styles that immediately come to mind for each of them, but why not the Sword Star?

In a way, it was a natural consequence.

Unlike NPCs who single-mindedly pursue and perfect their own specific swordsmanship, the Sword Star seeks the pinnacle of the sword by experiencing all swordsmanship styles in the world.

“Because the goals they pursue are fundamentally different.”

A woman who has honed all kinds of swordsmanship, yet paradoxically lacks her own single, iconic style.

That was the Sword Star as perceived by the world.

However, Do-hyun, who had been watching her from close by for a long time, could say one thing for sure.

‘Why doesn’t she have a symbolic swordsmanship?’

Contrary to popular belief, she *does* have a symbolic swordsmanship.

[Player ‘Sword Star’ activates ‘Body and Sword as One’.]

[Becomes one with the sword, unleashing extreme swordsmanship.]

[Temporarily maximizes the power of all swordsmanship possessed.]

Body and Sword as One.

A state of perfect unity with the sword, the strongest swordsmanship created by the Sword Star herself.

Boasting a legendary+ grade, Body and Sword as One was truly a buff skill tailored for her.

‘A person overflowing with swordsmanship using that and rushing in is unstoppable.’

She, who has more than ten swordsmanship styles registered as skills, unleashing the maximum power of all those skills?

There’s no buff quite like this one.

But the scariest thing was the next explanation.

[However, for swordsmanship that has already reached its maximum level, it unfolds beyond that level.]

Excluding Body and Sword as One, she has four signature swordsmanship styles that she created herself.

In other words, at least four or more swordsmanship styles are unleashing power beyond their theoretical limits.

Bang! Kwang!

Kuaaaaaaaa-!!!

That was the result.

[The effect of Body and Sword as One is activated.]

[Air Supremacy unleashes power beyond its limits.]

Whooooong- Swish,

Fluidly deflecting punches and rushes that make one’s knees buckle just from watching from afar,

[The effect of Body and Sword as One is activated.]

[Overbearing Sword – Calamity unleashes power beyond its limits.]

Kwaaaang!!

Even explosive attacks that lead to devastating counters are now on par with the legion commander’s most powerful strikes.

After that, the Sword Star was neutralizing attacks with graceful swordsmanship and reliably dealing damage with each strike.

[The 4th Legion Commander of Destruction is activating the ‘Legion Commander’ trait.]

[The 4th Legion Commander of Destruction is activating the ‘Limit Break’ trait.]

[The 4th Legion Commander of Destruction is activating the ‘Overwhelming Power’ trait.]

…….

[The suppressed seal is released, and the power of all traits is doubled.]

A figure not being pushed back even slightly against a boss who has become so strong that even a graze is fatal.

“Crazy… she’s holding out alone?”

“It’s not just holding out. She’s matching him blow for blow.”

“Was the Sword Star’s class really at that level? It wasn’t for nothing that she was said to have skills comparable to a one-person legion.”

“Looking at it now, it seems even more than that…?”

It was only natural that the users were gaping and in awe.

There was no doubt that the Sword Star was the best when it came to the sword, but it was generally accepted that she was slightly inferior to the Empress.

‘With this level of intensity, I don’t know about Annihilation either.’

‘This is crazy… is this the Demonic Realm’s strongest party class?’

‘No, if they were only 4th even with that, how strong was Kaiser in his prime?’

‘Kaiser, was he really a god?’

That perception was being shattered entirely.

‘More than that, this, maybe….’

‘…Maybe it’s possible?’

At the same time, the dark shadow in their eyes faded, and a light of hope began to settle in.

[The duration of the Curtain of Destruction has 10 seconds remaining.]

In just 10 seconds, the masters caught in the bind would be released.

Following Kaiser, the Sword Star had planted seeds of hope in everyone.

“Anyway, if you had come earlier, it would have been easy, but you came late and made it difficult.”

“Still, the timing was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“She saw Kaiser always appearing at the last minute, and her eyes were sparkling. I think she came late on purpose.”

“You guys are still the same.”

Cheonma chuckled as he watched the grumbling Empress and Ast.

Those three were not showing any surprise or admiration at the sight of the Sword Star.

Ader’s face, watching them with familiarity, looked somewhat complicated.

“…I’m learning things I didn’t know in many ways today.”

The power of Kaiser’s party was greater than he had thought.

Even Cheonma, who was not a formal party member.

Was this the feeling of TrueX in TrueX Show [a reference to a reality show where unexpected events and hidden talents are revealed]?

He was confused by their power, which was different from all the information he knew.

It was then that Ast, who met his eyes, smiled knowingly and said.

“She was our sub-dealer and sub-tanker. If Kaiser’s condition wasn’t good, she would buy some time.”

“…She doesn’t have a skill that allows her to tank.”

“She has a lot of great swordsmanship skills. Back then, she was the one who said swordsmanship *is* a skill, but now it’s been strengthened with signature swordsmanship, so it’ll be even easier.”

“…….”

Is that even possible?

Was that thought revealed on his face?

“That’s just how talented people are. Don’t try to understand it; just accept that’s how it is.”

“…….”

Ast, who patted him on the shoulder while spitting it out, had a look of camaraderie in his eyes.

Ader frowned at the gaze that was deeply unpleasant, and Ast took his hand off and pretended not to notice.

Ader’s heart became even more disturbed.

‘A talented person….’

The party leader is a crazy dealer who parries like breathing and tanks perfectly, and the main dealer is a crazy woman in this area with untouchable physical abilities.

The sub-dealer is a sword-obsessed woman who does everything with swordsmanship.

Ast, who is called the weakest among them, is the strongest instant burst dealer with a one-shot deal that no one can match.

On top of that, Annihilation and Cheonma.

‘What kind of game *is* Demonic Realm, anyway?’

What kind of place was it that these monsters were lurking in?

For some reason, Annihilation’s strength was understandable.

To be ranked proudly among them, one would have to be such a monster.

‘I thought I wouldn’t be inferior to anyone when it comes to talent… was I just lucky?’

There were many monsters in the world he didn’t know about besides Annihilation.

Just as he was about to feel empty, the Empress’s fierce voice struck down.

“Stop looking around and get your act together. That guy is at his limit now.”

Ader, startled, raised his head.

Bang! Kwang!

The Sword Star and the Legion Commander were seen fighting frantically, stepping on the walls.

At first glance, it seemed like she was holding out well, but upon closer inspection, it was clear.

Wobble-

The Sword Star’s legs were staggering slightly each time she deflected the Legion Commander’s heavy attacks.

The upright sword was gradually becoming disheveled, and the artistic posture and smooth steps had become clumsy.

It was a clear sign she was reaching her limit.

Even she, who is called the master of incapacitation, was struggling to hold out alone against the buffed Legion Commander.

[The sealed abyss, the 4th Legion Commander of Destruction’s, health is below 10%.]

[The 4th Legion Commander of Destruction’s physical abilities, defense, and recovery are amplified.]

On the other hand, he was still in good shape.

It was because he was so sturdy and recovered quickly.

Occasionally landing counters was not enough to inflict fatal wounds.

Kwaaaang!

“Ugh….”

In reality, she was at her limit.

Her wrist was numb, and she couldn’t control it, and her ankle was so precarious that it seemed like it would break if she stepped wrong.

It was a game, so it wouldn’t really happen, but her body not following her commands properly was bound to have a big impact on her swordsmanship.

[The effect of Body and Sword as One is activated.]

[Air Supremacy unleashes power beyond its limits.]

She was barely holding on with swordsmanship enhanced by Body and Sword as One, but even the duration was slowly coming to an end.

At this rate, it would not be strange if she collapsed at any moment.

And that moment came sooner than expected.

Thud.

The moment she accidentally missed her step.

“Ah.”

She hurriedly blocked the descending fist, and her posture completely collapsed.

At the same time, a dark shadow was cast over her head.

The Legion Commander’s palm was about to strike down on her head.

A clear crisis.

But instead of a sense of crisis, a faint smile was spreading across her face.

[The duration of the Curtain of Destruction has ended.]

[Released from the curtain that sealed movements.]

Peong-!

At the same time as the message appeared, something was shot out like a cannonball.

Roughly fluttering white hair. Fiercely flashing red eyes.

It was the Empress.

Tak, tatadat-

Chwaaaak- Chwajak-!

She leaped high and landed on his torso, then slashed his body at an incredible speed as she went up.

Then, in an instant, she stepped on his shoulder and jumped up, stabbing his eyes with her sword.

The Legion Commander writhed in pain, but she did not budge at all.

“Dare to try to play with me? One hit won’t be enough.”

Keueooo!

Despite the gushing blood, she grabbed the sword with both hands and stubbornly endured, finally stabbing the other eye with her sword.

Puk!

Kuaaaaaaaa!!

The Legion Commander, who was caught off guard by the sudden attack, hurriedly covered his eyes with his hands.

Only then did she come down from his shoulder.

Taat!

The Legion Commander opened his eyes narrowly at the sound of her landing on the ground.

Thanks to his monstrous recovery, he could see faintly, though not completely.

But the sight in front of him was a bit strange.

-……?

Wasn’t there a burly mass holding a huge iron mace?

He blinked, thinking he had seen it wrong.

Kwaaaaaang!!

“Homerun!”

A hearty voice echoed along with a heavy sensation that shook his skull.

The Legion Commander staggered back as his mind went dizzy, and this time he felt a chilling sensation and a dull impact alternately on both ankles.

Swish- Crack!

“Repent your sins with your life.”

“How dare you try to insult me.”

“…….”

It was the fanatic, Cheonma, and Ader.

Due to the combined surprise attack, he eventually lost his balance and had no choice but to fall on his butt.

“Hoo.”

The Sword Star’s eyes sparkled as she met the bloodied eyes thanks to the head in front of her.

Keueo……?

Perhaps sensing the strangeness instinctively.

The Legion Commander’s pupils trembled with anxiety, but she ignored it and shoved the sword into his eyes.

But was it the Legion Commander’s struggle to avoid being stabbed in the eyes again?

Kuaaaaaaaa!

[The 4th Legion Commander of Destruction lets out a fierce roar.]

[Directly hit by the roar, you fall into a ‘Grogy’ state for 3 seconds.]

“Ugh!”

The Sword Star’s eyes widened as she was directly hit by a skill she had never seen before.

She was rolling sideways in a lying position and swinging her elbow.

And the black sky visible above it.

[Using the second ability of the Tears of God.]

[Temporarily does not consume mana. (Cooldown 70 minutes)]

Pajijik-!

Black currents sparked in the sky full of dark clouds, and soon black lightning struck down in the shape of a dragon.

[Using Darkness Coating on Lightning Dragon Descent.]

[The Lightning Dragon is affected by Darkness Coating and gains darkness properties.]

[Approaching the power of the Black Dragon through an abnormal route.]

[The effects of darkness properties are additionally applied, possessing the energy of both the Lightning Dragon and the Black Dragon.]

It was Do-hyun.

[Successfully parrying perfectly.]

[Deflecting the attack.]

As if expressing black lightning, he was deflecting the fist with black sparks flying from his black-dyed hair.

In the meantime, the Empress and her party landed next to the Sword Star.

The Sword Star smiled slightly at the situation that had been reversed in an instant.

“Did I make up for being late with this much?”

“Well, I’ll acknowledge this much as a late fee.”

The Empress, who spat out and answered, took a step forward and stood to Do-hyun’s left.

Similarly, the Sword Star stood on the right, and Ast and Cheonma took their places behind her.

“Ah ah…….”

And when their eyes met, the fanatic’s clear eyes became even more sparkling, and Ader was frowning.

Peong-!

“……?”

For some reason, even a colorful arrow bomb exploding like fireworks in the black-dyed sky as if welcoming them.

Do-hyun, who checked the members, raised his head slightly.

[The current progress of the Abyssification is 90%.]

[A part of the labyrinth is being Abyssified.]

[From now on, the progress speed of Abyssification will be accelerated.]

[Time remaining: 599 seconds]

Just in time, the bizarre voices were heard at the same time as the message announcing the time limit as it reached 90%.

-Kill…… him…… kill him and…… be liberated…….

-Kill him…… and be liberated…….

Above the voices echoing from all directions, an especially chilling voice landed.

[Soon…… I will see you. Vessel…….]

An unpleasant voice with a madness-filled laugh.

It was a voice that stimulated instinctive fear, but Do-hyun chuckled.

Time limit?

“Sorry, but that’s not going to happen. There’s no way it’ll go up to 10 minutes.”

Until the duration of the Tears of God ends.

That was the time limit Do-hyun was thinking of.

[……Arrogant, as befits the vessel of that guy.]

[I will see. How long you can maintain that arrogance…….]

Of course, it seemed to be taken differently by the strong of the abyss.

It was an extremely reasonable statement, but Do-hyun didn’t just say it without thinking.

[Showing indomitable will that does not give up in the face of great adversity.]

[The power of Defying the Heavens increases.]

Thump, thump.

A strange sensation that he had never felt before was being felt in one side of his chest.

[The 3rd Form is reacting to your will.]

[Starting to bloom.]

The faint one was wriggling to spread its wings.